Whiffletree-hook



(No Model.)

N. P. REED. WHIFFLETREE HOOK.

No. 588,474. Patented M 1-7, 1 897.

QXJMQMQ I I W abtowmd 1 designates one end of a whiffletree, which is UNITED STATES .ATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN F. REED, OF CENTERVILLE, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO M. B. HOYT, OF STOWE, VERMONT.

WHIFFLETREEQHOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 588,474, dated August 17, 1897. Application filed April 28,1897. Serial No. 634,271. (No model.) 7

To all whom, it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, NATHAN F. REED, a citizen of the United States,residing at Centerville, in the county of Lamoille, in the State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Whiffletree Hooks,of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a planview of the hook in position on one end of a whifiletree. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 3 is a front view. Fig. 4 is a vertical view on line 4 4 of Fig. 1

' showing the trace-tug in position. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the manner of placing the trace-tug over the hook, and Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

This invention relates to a new and improved whiffletree-hook; and it has for its object to provide a hook of simple and durable construction which will be effective in preventing the accidental displacement of the trace-eye.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement and construction of the parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claim. appended.

Referring to the various parts by numerals,

provided with a cap 2, formed with a central aperture in its end. Passing through this aperture is the screw-shank 3 of the whiffletree-hook. The hook consists of the tug-engaging portion 4, of substantially triangular shape in cross-section, having the convexed rear side 5. From the upper and lower ends of this rear portion the upper and lower sides 6 6 of the tug-engaging portion extend forwardly and converge, said sides meeting at edge 7 in a horizontal plane with the center of the curved side 5. From the outer end of this tug-engaging portion a horn 8 extends forwardly, said horn being triangular in cross-section, its outer face 9 being vertical, and itsupper and lower sides 10 10 converging and meeting at edge 11 in line with the middle of the outer vertical face, said edge thereof being curved, as shown in Fig. 4.

To place the trace-eye over the hook, it is necessary to place the edge 11 in the forward angle of the trace-eye opening and then move the eye rearwardly on the horn 8 until the ed ge 7 is reached. The rear end of the eyeis then passed over the circular enlargement 12 and into the space between it and the end of the whiffietree. The enlargement 12 is beveled, as shown, in order to have as large a barrier to retain the trace-eye in place as possible, and at the same time permit it to be removed when desired.

It will be seen that by the peculiar shape of the hook it is adapted for use in connection with a peculiarly-shaped trace-eye, but it may be employed in connection with traceeyes of other shapes.

To remove the trace-eye, it must be raised to a horizontal positionand forced rearwardly until the forward point of its opening engages the edge 7 and then it can be passed over the cylindrical enlargement 12. It is designed to have the trace-eye fit the hook closely when passing over the enlargement 12, as shown in Fig. 6, to make accidental displacement nearly impossible.

When there is no draft on the traces, the trace-eyes will drop down at their forward ends and displacement in that position is impossible.

It will thus be seen that I provide a whiffletree-hook which is exceedingly simple and durable and which may be easily operated and yet cannot be readily displaced accidentally.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- V A trace-hook consisting of a shank having 'its upper and lower sides convergingtoa to an edge 11, this edge joining and being In testimony whereof I affix my signature approximately in the same plane with said in presence of two witnesses. edge 7, and a rearward extension 01' knob T H w projecting from the shank in line With the LAHIAN REED 5 horn, the rear side being beveled oif outward \Vitnesses and forward and its inner face being abrupt, CARLOS S. NOYEs, substantiallyas and forthe purposes set forth. BESSIE M. ADAMS. 

